I must admit the Asia Cup has passed me by in recent years. Maybe it's because I'm in England but more likely it is because it is just one of so many one-day tournaments clogging up the international cricketing calendar. While the tournament starting today is the eleventh, it has also been a moveable feast, taking place at different times of year, involving various combinations of teams.
What I do lie about the competition is that the format is so simple: each team plays the other once, with the top two in the 'league' competing in a final, the winner taking the cup. If only more competitions were so straightforward. Why do competitions like the CB Trophy have not one final, but three? How final shoudl a final be?!
Back in 1984, the inaugural Rothmans Asia Cup didn't even have a final; held at Sharjah in the UAE, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka played each other just once, and India captured the Cup by means of winning both their games. The champions didn't defend their title two years later, but Bangladesh made their first appearance. Sri Lanka won on home territory but then India reeled off three consecutive trophies.
Ranatunga's team ruled supreme in 1997, winning all four games on home territory, then three summers later it was Pakistan's turn to boast a 100% record, winning the Asia Cup for the first and only occasion. In 2004 and 2008, the big four of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were joined by the UAE and Hong Kong, who predictably contributed little in terms of cricketing prowess. Sri Lanka emerged victorious both times, before the format reverted to a four-nation affair in 2010. India faced some tight matches but enjoyed an 81-run triumph at Dambulla.
So big deal or waste of time? Well, only the Boards can answer that question on a sporting level but some of the big players have taken the opportunity to take a break. Sachin Tendulkar hasn't appeared in the Asia Cup since 2004, yet is still the second highest scorer in the tournament's history. He is back in 2012, although Sehwag and Zaheer Khan are rested. Sanath Jayasuriya heads the runs table by a huge margin. It's been a happy hunting ground for Messrs Dhoni, Shoaib Malik and Raina but for some reason, Dilshan and Jayawardene have struggled for runs. Murali, Vaas and Jayasuriya took loads of wickets but Ajantha Mendis took 17 wickets in 2008 alone but is out of the running at the moment. Squeezed in before the IPL, it could be an opportunity for some young blood to take the glory, but more likely just another trophy with which to assume bragging rights in the Indian subcontinent.
Pakistan are on the rise, and will look to win the Asia Cup for a second occasion. Sri Lanka and India pushed Australia all the way in the CB Trophy recently, while Bangladesh will do well just to win anything.
